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Dangers of purchasing medicines online highlighted

The use of social media and online market places appears to be on the
rise to sell illicit medicines worldwide.

Every year Interpol organises Operation PANGEA – a global crackdown
on the trade in illicit medicines.

Medsafe, which is part of the Ministry of Health, again partnered
with New Zealand Customs to participate in Operation PANGEA XI. This is
the 11th year Medsafe has been involved. During the course of the
operation, Medsafe investigated website domain names selling illicit
medicines and reported back to Interpol.

Globally 500 tonnes of medicine were seized, 3671 web links were
taken down and 859 arrests made.

In New Zealand, medicines for the treatment of erectile dysfunction
are the most commonly detained medicines by Medsafe.

“For the year to date we detained just under 125 thousand dosage
units of erectile dysfunction medication.”

“Antibiotics are also commonly detained medicines - over 73 thousand
dosage units detained for the year to date. Incorrect and indiscriminate
use of antibiotics contributes to the development of superbugs which do
not always respond to antibiotics and can result in serious harm and
death.”

“Websites purporting to be in New Zealand, but actually run from
elsewhere were reported to Interpol. While those responsible aren’t in
New Zealand, it was important to relay that information to Interpol for
further action.”

“Operation PANGEA is a good chance to warn New Zealanders of the
dangers of purchasing medicines online from overseas,” says Mr
Fitzgerald.

“We need to send a message to the operators of these rogue internet
sites that New Zealand will not tolerate them taking advantage of New
Zealand’s good reputation. Having Interpol’s assistance highlights the
importance of global co-operation to tackle a criminal activity that has
no respect for borders.”

Mr Fitzgerald says people actively involved in this trade make large
quantities of money, often without any concern for the health of those
they are reportedly trying to help.

If a website does not ask for a prescription, it could be a
rogue pharmacy and part of a criminal network.

Be aware that to legally import and possess a prescription
medicine in New Zealand you will need the authorisation of a New
Zealand registered authorised prescriber (for instance, your general
practitioner)

Medicines bought online from overseas are not regulated by
Medsafe. They have a high chance of:

Operation Pangea XI was coordinated by INTERPOL, with the World
Customs Organization (WCO), the Permanent Forum on International
Pharmaceutical Crime (PFIPC), the Heads of Medicines Agencies Working
Group of Enforcement Officers (WGEO), the Pharmaceutical Security
Institute (PSI), Europol, and private sector companies including
electronic payment service providers

New Zealand was one of 116 countries that participated in Operation
PANGEA XI this year.